The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-10
HISS ClTHlRIAE WOLFg,
THE RICHEST WOMAN IN THE
UNITED STATES,
And One Of the Most Charitable-Her
enly Love Affair q Sad Dis.
appointment.

maiden lady in the land. She was
genuine devotee of religion and char
iV. Her obituaries have ere this
been printed everywhere. Stories of
the reason Of her celibacy, and i'm
parting romantic tinge to it, are
current in society. An intimate
friend assures me that they are not
true. With millions upon millions
at her command from Childhood, with
the utmost refinement and goodness
inherent in her nature, with family
connections of the proudest sort, her
opportunities for wiving herself ad-
vantageously were of the best. But
she never had the remotest desire to
marry This feeling may have been
partly due to adistrust of all wooers,
for how could she know that they
wanted her rather than her money?
but principally it arose from a genu-
inc repugnance to wedlock. She de-
sired to maintain utter independence,
Twenty-Five years ago, Count Falco
came nearer to winning her than any
I body before or since. He was an
Italian, and his title was all right,
though counts are a no great dis
tinctien Italy. He had been educated
for the Catholic priesthood, but had
become an Episcopalian in this coun-
try, He professed to devote himself
to benevolent work. He gained Miss
Wolfe's confidence in that way, and
it was thought that she almost, if not
quite, accepted him as a lover. But he
couldn't wait for her money. She
intrusted $1,000 to him for a particu-
lar charity. He confscated the fund
to his own use, and she detested the
robbery. II will never trust man
again" she said, unless he refrains
from counting me" That seemed to
become the fixed rule OF her life, and
Its operation neeessitated maiden
hood.
Miss Wolfe had been an invalid
for the past two years, although not
seriously i'll all that time. She was
born in this city about fifty eight
years ago; and was the eldest daugh-
ter of John David Wolfe, who was
we'll known merchant. He was one
Of the founders of the old hardware
firm Of j. d. Il Christopher Wolfe,
whose shop was in Maiden lane, OPP
posite Clarke K Browns coffee
house, before the war of 1912. Her
mother was daughter of Peter
Lorillard. Her sister Mary was
married to the late VIM. B. Hoff-
man, and died in 1866, leaving no
issue. Previous to 1857 the Wolfe
family lived on the southeast corner
Of Astor place and Broadway, then
the fashionable quarter of the city.
When the march of trade forced its
way above Blocker street, Jno David
Wolfe moved the residence to No. -
Madison street, Mrs. Hoffman hav-
ing died some years previous. On
her fathers side Miss Wolfe is re-
Il lated to the Bruce and Bishop fami-
lies, and on her mothers with the
Lorillards, Ronaldses, Thomases
and Conklings, Roscoe COnkling and
Col. Frederick A. Oonkling being
her relatives.
At the death of John D. Wolfe,
May II, 1879, it was found that he
had left no will, and his large for
tune, estimated at that time to be
about 81 100000, went to Catherine
as his heiress. A will which had
been in existence was destroyed by
him short time before he died At
the time of her death Miss Wolfe
was very wealthy woman, her in
come being variously estimated at
from $1,000 to $500 per day. She
was very charitable, and the greater
part of her time of late years has been
devoted to benefcent works. AL
though the greater part of the money
she expended in charity has been
through the Protestant Episcopal
Church, she has given large sums
through secular agencies. She was a
member of a number of charitable So
cieties connected with the church and
has been very liberal in her gifts to
the various institutions connect
ed with them. Among her many
gifts may be noticed the East Side
lodging house for homeless boys
which was built for the Children S
Aid Society at Gouverneur street
Henry street and East Broadway
This was fist opened May 20, 1880
The cost Of the building was $4,000
The John ID. Wolfe cottage at the
Sheltering Arms was huilt by her in
memory Of her father. The fountain
in Madison Square near her house
was placed there some time ago by
Miss Wolfe. Wolfe Hall, a girls
boarding school in Topeka, Kas,,
which was destroyed some time age
by fire, was rebuilt at Miss Wolfe's
expense. The Church of the Resur.
rection, at Richmond Hill, was
helped in its building fund by Miss
Wolfe to the extent of $500. The
Wolfe expedition to Babylon
which was under the charge of Dr.
Ward, of the Independent. was car.
ried on at her expense, and she also
gave $1,000 towards d Sterelle's ex.
petition to Asia Minor. One Of
her pet projects was the establish
ment Of the Episcopal Church
at Rome, and the American Chapel
was built at her expense, aud she
also gave it chime of bells. During
the excavations for this chapel two
ancient Roman urns were found and
the church was allowed by the State
to retain possession of them. They
stood at the door of the chapel fol-
some timc, and finally one of then
was forwarded to Grace Church in
this city, aud is now in position or
the church grounds at Broadway anC
Tenth streets. Miss Wolfe also es
tablished the Wolfe fund for the
support of infrm clergymen. Miss
Wolfe has been great benefactrest
of Grace Church, and good many
of the additions and Improvement,
of late years have been at her ex
pense. Assistant Bishop Potter hal
been her chief adviser in charitable
matters. Among the improvement
she has ffeected in Grace Church arr
the reredos, the Gracehouse, the new
stone steeple and memorial windows
II Last Easter she put $4,000 il
4 the ofertory of Grace Churct
for ha rt,rvnca ~